A Sober Second Thought to Bill C-10
I just got this reply from one of my Senators regarding my opposition to Bill C-10 (emphasis added is my own):
Thank you for contacting me about the omnibus crime bill (C-10). I concur with the Canadian Bar Association’s views.
As you are well aware, the Conservative government has been trying to push much of this legislation through both the House of Commons and the Senate for several years now. Senators have made many thoughtful amendments in the past. The government rejected all of them.
Recently, when confronted with the latest crime statistics which continue to show a steady decline, Justice Minister Nicholson replied “We don’t govern on the basis of statistics.” I am therefore, not optimistic that the government will see reason to modify its position this time round either.
Traditionally, senators acted somewhat independently of the government to give Canadians the benefit of our traditional sober second thought (click here for examples). That is no longer happening with Conservative senators who vote the way Mr. Harper tells them. Now that they have a majority in the Senate, I anticipate the Conservatives will pass Bill C-10.
Nevertheless, it is important for Canadians like yourself to continue to speak out. We must be diligent in reminding one another that our nation fundamentally values compassion over coersion, ideals over ideology and rehabilitation over punishment. Thank you for taking the time to do just that. Please don’t stop.
Best regards, Elaine McCoy
Alberta Senator
Wow. That’s all I have to say. This is from an Albertan Conservative Senator. (Though to be fair, she’s the only Progressive Conservative in the Senate, and was appointed by Liberal PM Martin—not Harper.) I’m glad she represents Alberta in the Senate.
I went to her website and found this little nugget, which I will leave as a closing point to this post:
The Senate must be an independant House, having a free action of its own, for it is only valuable as being a regulating body, calmly considering the legislation initiated by the popular branch, and preventing any hasty or ill considered legislation.
Sir John A. Macdonald
1st Prime Minister of Canada
(If you haven’t already, I urge you to sign Leadnow’s petition and send a letter to the Senators for your Province/Territory.)
